Sertraline dosage and EMDR

[LavenderLxx]

A little advice if you wouldn’t mind helping…

I’ve been on 50mg Sertraline since mid October (12 weeks) for depression and anxiety. Initially it seemed to help but over Christmas I really struggled and felt like I was sinking back into depression. I spoke with my doctor and he suggested increasing the dose to 100mg.

I started the increase to 75mg on Tuesday so today is day 4 at the higher dose. I feel amazing today!! I’d forgotten what it feels like to feel like this - almost light and carefree. Definitely like my old, old self - I don’t think I’ve felt this good in a looong time!!

My question is - do I stick at 75mg or continue to increase to 100mg? Will I feel even better on 100mg or will it be too much?

I also had a pretty intensive EMDR session yesterday to process some past issues that I’ve been having flashbacks about. I slept well for the first time in ages last night! Could it be the EMDR that’s made the difference in my good mood? Or the proper nights sleep?

Just wondered what people’s thoughts were. Thank you x

It would take longer than 4 days to feel the benefit of a dosage increase. They say around 2 weeks for any side effects to wear off and you stabilise. 100mg is a mid range dose, 200mg is the highest I understand. With anti depressants it's always best to follow the advice of your doctor when increasing or decreasing doses.

I had never heard of EMDR therapy so had to google. I will look into it further.

Thank you I meant to add! And glad to hear you are feeling better whatever the reason for it.

I have felt the effects of sertraline increases very quickly so it could well be that. I think I would stick with the plan to go to 100mg. I’m on 200.

I can highly recommend EMDR! I was very sceptical at first but it really seems to have helped me process things - not a pleasant experience to go back and expose past wounds/trauma but definitely useful in the long term. It’s helped me understand things a little better rather than just burying my feelings/experiences and then wondering why they affect me and upset me so much!!

I’ve carried on and increased the dose to 100mg today as per the doctor’s advice so let’s see…

Has anyone else had positive EMDR experiences like this after a session?

EMDR worked so well for me I came off sertraline completely. I wanted to know if it had really worked or it was my meds so I came off it and it was the EMDR.

That’s really interesting - that’s what I’m wondering too.
Do you mind sharing the timescale of how long you were on Sertraline and how long the EMDR was for?

I was on sertraline about 1 year but wasn't really getting any better on it. I did 6 sessions of EMDR and it was life changing. I would love more but the main issues that I was anxious about just disappeared overnight.

How would I go about finding a therapist? I've looked online but some only work online which seems a bit odd. Current catalogue of daily meds:

200mg sertraline
30mg mirtrazapine
200mg Pregabalin
2.5mg clonazepam

Plus 500mcg clonazepam when needed

This is what I need to function but I'm still anxious and still depressed. My meds just go up and up. Side effect is weight gain, I've put on 3 stone which is making me feel awful.